A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996)

A hilarious comedy about a nightclub promoter and perpetual playboy who learns the hard way about the dangers of being a ladies man. Directed by and starring Martin Lawrence.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Theatrical Trailer

A Thin Line Between Love and hate

I think every body should purchase this movie,because it was well written.And this movie is just like every day life.All of the actor and actress are really excellent in the movie.This is a movie that you will not want too give away.I hope you buy this movie. November 28, 2008

CC

I received the DVD in great condition and quickly. I was very satisfied with the service. August 18, 2008

Good movie - Lynn whitefield SOARS

I saw this movie when it originally came out and thought it was a good movie. Unlike many I feel Martin Lawrence is best doing standup, as an example in his TV show Martin he was notable for slapstick and urban shtick, but the efforts of Tisha Campbell, and the rest of the cast made the show a classic. My opinion is the same for this movie, Martin puts in a cliched, effort that shows he was more full of himself than his character or his acting talent suggests. Luckily he surrounded himself with a strong supporting cast including a sober Bobby Brown, who may have had some acting chops back then! If you consider the wonderful mix of the iconic Della Reese whose has entertained us since the 50's and 60's, Lynn whitfield who is no doubt one of our most unheralded stars since the 70's (Josephine Baker story) and Regina king who has shown her talent and range from TV and now to movies and no doubt will be entertaining us for a long time and of course Roger Mosely who is always solid this could be considered an all star cast. THE STORY LINE is ok, I would love to have seen someone else play a smooth debonair young entrepenuer ladies man who wins over an obviously older, more refined, (and deranged) wealthy woman. The pacing and interplay between characters was good and enjoyable until Lynn Whitfield's character basically took over the last 3rd of the movie! Her portrayal early was right on as sexy, above it all with a hint of something odd about her. As the movie progressed and it became clear Martin's character was way over his head as Ms Whitfield basically took over with a riveting portrayal as the sicko dangerous jilted woman, who exuded sexy throughout, hell in my opinion she was more malevolent then Glen Close. I agree this movie really isnt that funny (are any of Martin's movies funny?) but it is an enjoyable suspense movie thanks to Lynn whitfield performance and support from the rest of the cast. Put an real actor in this movie like Bokeem Woodbine or Allan Payne and this would have been something! July 3, 2008

I personally loved this ;-)

I often go back to watching this movie every now and then because I really do like it. It's not Oscar material for sure, but it's good and enjoyable and almost anything that Martin Lawrence is in, is great. He's funny and yet in this, you can see he's got a more serious side too. I do agree with some other reviewers that it is a semi cross between Fatal Attraction and Boomerang. There are moments of comedy and moments of insanity with the female lead. Darnell meets Brandi outside his club, Chocolate City, and she looks like she has it all. Limo driver, fine crib in Malibu, good paying job, but that's only the surface.
He can't say he wasn't warned. His mother (Della Reese) said near the start that there is a fine line between love and hate, and also Brandi (Lynn Whitfield) told Darnell that it wouldn't be a good thing if she were hurt and she also told him in bed for their first time, that she'd killed her husband because he'd been abusive. He should have heard warning bells then, but didn't.
I love watching this; it's funny in parts and also fun watching Brandi go off the deep end. I love the music throughout the movie and if you are a fan of Black cinema, then check it out. It's an old favourite of mine and really enjoy it. June 1, 2008

This movie does have its moments

This movie is sort of mess and it doesn't get any better with repetitive viewing. The screenplay is credited to four writers, and its unevenness argues that none of them were on the same wavelength. Subplots start but never finish, characters come and go, and even the main storyline can't decide whether it wants to be a comedy, a morality play, or a thriller. Lead actor Martin Lawrence (in his directorial debut) has a degree of screen presence, but not even his charisma can rescue this clichéd film from sliding into oblivion.

Darnell (Lawrence) is the kind of character who it's easy to dislike. He's a classic womanizer -- the kind of man who keeps a stream of girlfriends waiting at the other end of the phone for his call. For Darnell, the harder a woman is to get, the more she entices him. So when Brandi (Lynn Whitfield), a wealthy real estate agent, turns her nose up at his come-ons, Darnell goes after her with the tenacity of a pit bull. Eventually, he succeeds, but he gets more than he bargained for. When he tries to break things off with Brandi to prove his affection for the high school sweetheart who has come back to town (Regina King), he discovers that Brandi isn't willing to let him go. She'll try anything, including bodily harm, to keep him.

Mix Eddie Murphy's `Boomerang' with `Fatal Attraction,' and you get an idea how confused this movie can get. Although Lawrence, who's wearing half-a-dozen hats for this film (Executive Producer, Music Supervisor, Story, Screenplay, Director, and Star), includes a few humorous scenes, there's not enough comedy to leaven the film's slower portions. The dreary setup takes forever, the thriller elements are disappointingly pedestrian, and the climax is formulaic. There is the core of an interesting story here -- what happens when a lothario becomes a victim -- but Lawrence never does more with this plot strand than superficially trace it. There should be a lot transpiring on a psychological level, but the script is content with unbelievable transformations and simple labels. Darnell is the repentant sinner and Brandi is the psycho scorned woman. The film's message -- don't say you love someone unless you mean it -- doesn't have any resonance because, aside from a few cuts and bruises, Darnell never pays a real price for his actions. The ending doesn't have the guts to demand a meaningful sacrifice.

`A Thin Line Between Love and Hate' boasts several solid performances. Lawrence is energetic, but never so completely out-of-control that he loses the audience the way Jim Carrey does. Lynn Whitfield occasionally manages to bring hints of humanity to Brandi (the almost- invisible tear on her cheek when Darnell breaks off the relationship is a nice touch). Regina King and Della Reese (as Darnell's mother) are effective in supporting roles. With a more clear notion of what it was trying to do and a shorter, tighter script, this movie could have been worthwhile as a comedy or a thriller, although doubtfully as both.
February 1, 2007

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